COLUMN | The Programs of Jara, Kast, and Matthei

The purpose of this column is to compare the proposals of Janet Jara, Evelyn Matthei, and José Antonio Kast regarding international relations, national security, defense, and public safety. I clarify that I am affiliated with RN, but I promise a serious and professional analysis, without bias.

First, these are politically oriented programs. They aim to impress voters with what they will do on the issues that concern Chileans the most, but they are not strategies. Therefore, they do not indicate the objectives to be achieved, the resources necessary to implement the strategy, or how they will be used. In summary, we should not expect much from them.

All the published programs are weak in international relations, national security, and defense. I say published because they may have other information that they deemed irrelevant to share at this moment, whether to avoid informing the competition or because Chileans are not good readers, especially on topics that, while important, are not considered urgent.

José Antonio launched an emergency program, focusing primarily on security and the economy. It seems that Jeannette had her program written on the second floor of La Moneda, as the topics I mention are largely a continuation of what the Boric government has been doing recently. Evelyn’s 50-page program covers almost everything, but without going into much detail.

Obviously, all candidates dedicate many pages to outlining what they plan to do regarding public safety. For all of them, it is the number one problem in the country, without disregarding the economic issue and other problems that have existed for years.

The programs of each candidate are not very different when addressing the fight against organized crime, delinquency, illegal immigration, and the management of the northern and northeastern borders. The problem is that none indicate how they expect to finance it, whether through debt, reallocations from the social sector, or by seeking efficiencies in fiscal spending. Let us agree that public finances are not in good condition, much less capable of assuming more spending and investment.

It is concerning that no one highlights the good work being done by Prosecutor Barros and the successes he has achieved, successes that result from having the Public Ministry working together and in coordination with the police in what is a small national interagency center against organized crime, a concept that could easily be expanded and developed at little cost.

The presented programs are not significant differentiating factors in the electoral outcome, which will depend more on the trust that candidates and their teams can convey regarding their ability and experience to solve security and economic problems. Matthei is trying to emphasize her past as a mayor, while Kast aims to have the best possible team.